The door was left wide open for Frosted when American Pharoah passed on the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby-G2. Frosted had faced American Pharoah three times and never finished ahead of him. The Godolphin runner trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, considered by many to be the second-best 3-year-old in training, went off the even-money favorite in the field of nine, glided to the lead at the top of the stretch, and stormed home a 2-length winner. His career bankroll soared past $2 million.
Longtime Maryland owner and breeder Howard Bender died at the age of 84. He and his late wife Sondra got involved in the business in the 1980s, spurred by a friendship with Dot and Sam Rubin (owners of Hall of Famer John Henry). They were recognized as the Maryland Horse Breeders Association's Breeder of the Year four times. Star runners included Secret River, Foufa's Warrior, Promenade Girl, London Lane and La Reine's Terms. "They both enjoyed it equally so it was something they could do together," said Larry Murray, who trained for the Benders and managed Glade Valley Farm, which Howard's father Jack had been a part owner. "They loved coming to the racetrack, the races, the farm, traveling to big races. And they made it fun for everybody."
n Richard Butts Jr., at 92 years and 10 months come late November, was possibly the oldest active trainer in North America and still sending out winners at Charles Town, his base since 1980. Through mid-October he ranked 16th among the local trainers, with 13 wins from 93 starts. Three allowance wins were for Virginia dentist Sam English II. "You know, if you're an owner, you want 'em to hurry up and move along, and he'll make you wait, 'cause he knows if you don't, the horses'll make you wait," English said of Butts. " 'Doc, we gotta wait on 'em. You can't push 'em.' 'OK, Mr Butts, if you say so.' At his age, he's got a lot of on-the-job-experience."
R. Larry Johnson's homebred filly Walk of Stars recorded her first stakes win in the $100,000 Pink Ribbon at Charles Town as the daughter of Street Sense wired the field at 13-1. It was her fourth win in six races over the West Virginia oval, all under Travis Dunkelberger. "What we've learned about her is that she seems to have an affinity for two things," said trainer Mike Trombetta. "She likes the half-mile bullring-type racetracks and she likes to be running up on the front end of things. When she gets up there, she gets a lot of courage and she's very hard to pass."
Holly Crest Farm's homebred 4-year-old filly Stiffed recorded her second stakes win of the year in the restricted Jersey Girl Handicap at Monmouth. "She's a very nice filly and she looks like a million dollars," said her 78-year-old trainer John Mazza.
Both mares are the dams of Grade 1 winners this year -- Walk of Stars has Mindframe; Stiffed the undefeated 4-year-old filly Cavalieri.
